Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ The Black Hawke ❯ Blood and Feathers ( Chapter 9 )

A/N: Okay, this chapter is a little different. Aoshi is going to be a little more OOC... we are going to go digging inside his head and find out where 'Hawke' came from and why 'he's' there. There are some heavy psych issues here, and no one is immune to that kind of pain. Not even the ice-man. Kenshin also comes back and we see a little bit more of who he is. He is also OOC, but I like who he is. So cut me a break.

Not everything is as it seems.

Review Response at end of Chapter...

Chapter Nine

Blood and Feathers

             "Mr. Shinomori?" The slender blonde woman carefully opened the door and waited for the man behind the desk to acknowledge her. "There is someone here to see you, sir."

          &n bsp; "Do they have an appointment, Miss Tripp?" He did not look up from his work.

          &n bsp; "No sir, but I didn't think you would have a problem seeing this person, otherwise, I would have never interrupted you."

          &n bsp; "Who is it?" Aoshi leaned back and pushed the glasses he was wearing on top of his head so he could rub his eyes. "You know how much work I have to get done today, not to mention I have to meet the insurance adjuster out at the warehouse this afternoon."

         &n bsp;  "I realize that, sir, but... well, it's Mr. Himura from The Blood Bond."

          & nbsp; Aoshi's eyebrows rose a fraction at the sound of the name and then he pushed himself away from the desk. "Bring him in, Miss Tripp." 'Hmmm, I wonder what's on your mind, Himura?'

         & nbsp;  The woman stepped back and opened the door, her soft voice murmuring to the man on the other side. Shortly a small, yet proud red-haired man walked through the door, bowing in deference to the woman.

          & nbsp; "Thank-you, Miss Tripp. You have been most helpful." He let a small smile tug at the corner of his mouth as she blushed and stuttered over her words. He always had that effect on women, but it never ceased to bring him amusement.

         &nb sp;  "You are very w-welcome, Mr. Himura. Now if you'll excuse me, I have my own work to attend to."

          &nb sp; "Of course." A low chuckle rumbled in this throat as he watched the woman scurry away and then he pulled the door closed behind him.

          &nb sp; "You just have to do it, don't you?" The sardonic voice of his host brought his amused gaze around to the front where he found the tall dark-haired man observing him blandly, arms crossed over his chest.

          & nbsp; "Do what?" He asked innocently, shrugging his shoulders and walking into the room. "Is it my fault if they fall all over themselves when they're around me?" He grinned and offered his hand to the other man.

          &nb sp; "No, I suppose not, but you don't have to enjoy it so much." Aoshi shook the offered hand and smiled. "Have a seat. What brings you all the way up here? Must be pretty important if it drug you out of that sewer you call a school."

          &nb sp; "Comments like that will get you nowhere, my friend." Kenshin reached into the pocket of his jacket, leaned forward and tossed an envelope onto Aoshi's desk. "That recently came into my possession. I thought you might be interested."

         & nbsp;  "What is it?" Aoshi picked up the envelope and eyed it suspiciously.

             "It's a manifest from a shipping company called 'China Dolls'. Supposedly they import porcelain dolls from China, Paris, Switzerland, and England. You know, the fancy collectables."

          ;   "Uh-huh, and what has that got to do with me?"

          &nb sp; "Open it up and look at the address."

         &nbs p;  The envelope came open easily with the silver dagger Aoshi kept for such things and the neatly folded manifest slipped into his hand. Unfolding it, he expertly examined the contents making note of the type and quantity of dolls it listed. The total shipment was in excess of five thousand dollars, but that was not what caught his attention. As instructed, he scanned the address and then the signature that signed for the goods.

          & nbsp; "I don't own this company," he said as he looked over the top of the paper. "But the address is my warehouse on Shipley."

         &nbs p;  "Uh-huh. Seems to me, that I didn't recall you stockpiling in porcelain dolls either. Unless you've taken up a new hobby or something."

         &n bsp;  "No. I stopped playing with dolls when I was six. I like the real thing." Ice blue eyes locked with dancing amethyst and both men smiled. "Are you aware that someone torched my warehouse a few days ago?"

          &n bsp; "No," Kenshin leaned forward, a look of shock on his face. "How bad is it?"

          &nb sp; "The office is a total loss, but we were able to save about forty-five percent of the product and storage containers."

         & nbsp;  "Damn, Aoshi. I'm really sorry to hear that. Do you need any clean-up help?"

          & nbsp; "No, the Pack has that covered, but you could do me one big favor."

             "Just name it. It's yours."

             "I need all the eyes and ears out on the streets I can get. I'm looking for information about this job and the people who pulled it off."

          &n bsp; "You looking for anyone in particular?"

         & nbsp;  "Yes." Aoshi looked back down at the manifest and frowned at the signature he read at the bottom. "I'm looking for a couple of old friends."

         &nbs p;  "Ah, no way. Don't tell me some of your own turned on you and did this?" Kenshin stood up and jammed his hands into the pockets of his jeans. Walking over to the window, he gazed out across the city. "Whom are you looking for?"

          &n bsp; "Yumi..."

             "Your office manager?" Kenshin turned and looked at Aoshi in disbelief. "The girl you picked up out of the gutter five years ago? You are shitting me?"

          &nb sp; "I wish I was, but I'm not. It was Yumi and her boyfriend, Shishio Makido."

           ;  "I don't know him. I've heard the name, but I don't know him." Once more Kenshin shifted his glance out the window. "What does he look like?"

          & nbsp; "Tall, about my size. Light brown hair, dark reddish-brown eyes, and he's burned."

           ;  "Burned? What do you mean 'burned'? Where?"

             "On his face and his neck. It also spreads down his chest and over his stomach. He was in a car accident a few years ago. Got pinned inside and it blew up in his face. The burns are very unique. Red and yellow scar tissue that looks corded and twisted."

         &nbs p;  "Which side of his face?" Something was working in the back of Kenshin's mind.

          &n bsp; "The right, why?"

          &n bsp; "Fuck," Kenshin slammed his fist against the heavy panned window in anger. "I knew something wasn't right, I just knew it."

          &nb sp; "Hey, what are you talking about?"

             "A few days ago me and a bunch of the kids were out trolling in your area. I'd heard there was some strange shit going on and thought I'd check it out."

          &n bsp; "And...."

             "We happened by your warehouse and the lights were all on. It was around four in the morning, so I thought we'd go see what was up. There were about six guys in there moving barrels around and putting them on a truck. It struck me as strange because I'd never seen anyone there that time of morning before."

           ;  "Do you remember exactly when this was?" Aoshi felt a chill slither up his spine.

          & nbsp; "It was Saturday morning, last weekend."

         &nbs p;  "Just five days ago... give or take?"

          & nbsp; "Yes."

        &n bsp;   "What else happened?"

         &nb sp;  "There was one guy who seemed to be in charge so I decided to ruffle him and see what fell out. But he had all the right answers. Said he worked for you and he was there getting supplies for the weekend. Half of me felt like he was lying his ass off, but the other half didn't have a leg to stand on. So I left him alone. I knew I should have done something."

         &n bsp;  "Not much you could have done short of straight out confrontation."

        &nbs p;   "When has that ever stopped me?"

          &nb sp; "True," The men exchanged a wry smile. "So tell me about this guy. Why did he make such an impression?"

         & nbsp;  "He's your scar-faced friend."

           ;  "Shit, how did I know you were going to say that?"

          & nbsp; "ESP?"

        &n bsp;   "Yeah, right. Dammit." Aoshi rested his elbows on the desk and buried his face in his hands. "Well, at least you know whom I'm looking for now, eh?"

          &nb sp; "Yes, that I do. I'm sorry, Aosh. I really wish I had done something when I had that little prick in my hands."

             "It's not your fault. How were you to know I didn't have someone there that early doing just that? I have before." A heavy sigh of frustration lifted Aoshi's shoulders. "Now I just have to find them before something happens to Yumi."

          & nbsp; "What do you mean?" Kenshin turned and faced his friend. "She's just as guilty as he is. Why would you be worried about her?"

          &n bsp; "Because I know Yumi. If she's involved, it is only because Shishio talked her into it somehow, and he's not the most stable person I know. If you know what I mean."

          & nbsp; "Oh, I didn't know that, but I can't say I'm surprised. The kid's got a screw loose that is for sure."

          & nbsp; "You got that right." Aoshi stood up and moved to stand next to Kenshin. "He has a real complex about those burns, and there's a chip on his shoulder bigger than yours or mine."

          & nbsp; "That bad, eh?"

          &nb sp; "Yes."

        &nbs p;   "Do you think she'd turn states evidence against him if we found a way to get her out?"

          &n bsp; "I don't know, maybe. It'd be a big gamble. She really fell hard for him."

          &n bsp; "Her kind always do."

          &nb sp; "I know."

          & nbsp; "In the mean time, who are you going to get to replace her? Or are you going to scrap the project?"

         &nbs p;  "I can't do that, there are too many kids that need it." Aoshi rubbed his chin as he considered Kenshin's question. "And I think I know someone who would fit into the position quite well... if I can talk her into it."

          &nb sp; "Oh really? Anybody I know?" Curious violet eyes studied the sharp profile of the man next to him.

          &nb sp; "No, no one knows her."

          &n bsp; "Another one of your stray cats, eh?"

          &nb sp; "I guess you could say that except this stray cat is a high class wild animal with a brain."

             "Do I detect a note of... admiration in your voice?" A trace of laughter mocked Aoshi as Kenshin laid a hand on his shoulder. "Or is it just pure lust?"

          & nbsp; "Don't you ever get your mind out of your pants?" Aoshi's ice blue eyes glinted with humor as he turned away from the mocking redhead.

           ;  "Ah-ha. Seems I hit a cord." The grinning kick-boxer seated himself in front of Aoshi's desk once more and trained his amused stare on the dark haired man. "So, what's her name?"

          & nbsp; "Kay," Aoshi shook his head and sat down. "And that is all you get to know, you pervert."

         &nbs p;  "Oh come on, what's she look like? At least give me something to chew on."

          &nb sp; "Alright, but hands off, and I mean it."

          &nb sp; "I swear," Kenshin raised both hands in the air as he grinned and propped his left ankle over his right knee. "She's all yours, my friend." He crowed and settled down more comfortably in the chair. "I haven't seen you this protective of a girl in ages. I could have fun with this."

          & nbsp; "Himura, I swear to God..."

             "I'm kidding, Jesus, lighten up." Rich laughter rolled out of his mouth and he was rewarded with a half smile from his friend. "Tell me about her. I promise, hands off. Cross my heart."

          &nbs p; "You really are an asshole, you know that?"

          & nbsp; "Yes, but that's one of the reasons we're such good friends. Now talk to me. What is this girl like, and what's got you so hooked. I haven't seen you like this since..."

         &nbs p;  "Becca?" Hooded blue eyes clashed with glittering violet.

             "Well, if you must bring her name up, yes, but this is different. You're actually smiling talking about this girl. I don't remember the last time you did that. So don't ruin a good roasting with bad food. Talk to me. Who is she?"

          &n bsp; "She's a waitress."

         &nb sp;  "A waitress? Where?"

             "Ragwell's."

             "Down on Regents street?"

           ;  "Yes, the Diner."

             "If that's what you want to call it, okay."

          & nbsp; "That was my first impression as well, but she's not one of his girls. She's just a waitress that works the swing shift."

             "And you met her how?"

          &n bsp; "She missed her bus and tried to walk home through the park at about three o'clock in the morning."

         &nbs p;  "Not good."

          & nbsp; "No, not really, but I haven't been able to stay more than three feet away from her since."

             "Good in bed I gather?"

           ;  "Understatement of the century. She nearly burned my hands off."

          &n bsp; "Uh-huh. So the sex is good. What else?"

          & nbsp; "She-she's honest." Aoshi looked down at his hands and noticed he was playing with his pencil. "She's the most real person I've ever met. I mean the statement, 'What you see is what you get,' is her completely."

         & nbsp;  "Are you sure you aren't getting white-washed, Aosh?"

          & nbsp; "No, it just oozes out of her, Himura. Everything she says, does, it's the simple, honest truth."

             "And you're scared shitless."

         &nb sp;  "It shows, huh?"

          &n bsp; "Probably just to me cause I've known you for so long." Kenshin leaned forward and studied his friend. "Are you falling in love with her?"

          &n bsp; "I-I don't know. But she's just about all I can think about anymore."

         &nbs p;  "When did you meet her?"

          &n bsp; "The night of the fire."

          & nbsp; "Five days?! You've known her for five days?" Incredulity colored Kenshin's voice as he leaned back into the chair. "Damn! You really are hooked."

           ;  "Tell me about it."

          &nb sp; "How does she feel about you?"

          &n bsp; "The same, at least that is what she tells me."

          &nb sp; "Whoa. She must be something to have gotten to you like this. I have to say that I am really blown away by this, Aosh. I would have never pegged you for the 'love at first sight' deal. That I wouldn't."

         &nb sp;  "Me either, and I don't even know if that is what it is. Hell, half the time all I can think about is getting her back into bed."

          &n bsp; "You got it bad, dude." Kenshin shook his head and blew out a deep breath. "I promise hands off, man, and I won't even give you shit over this girl like I was going to."

          &nb sp; "Gee, thanks. You're a pal."

          &n bsp; "No problem." Both men grinned. "So, when do I get to meet her?"

          &n bsp; "I don't know, you lecherous dog." Aoshi chuckled and threw his pencil and the grinning redhead. "Maybe I'll invite you over for dinner one night after I talk to her about taking the manager position."

         &nb sp;  "Stellar." Kenshin pushed himself to his feet and winked at Aoshi. "Good luck with that. I hope you can talk her into it. Sounds like she'd be good for The Pack."

          & nbsp; "Yes, I think she would. She speaks the same language as most of them do. She grew up down there."

             "Hmmm, sounds like an asset to me."

          &nb sp; "And she thinks she isn't good enough for me."

          &nb sp; "What? Boy, I need to get my hands on this girl and have a long talk. Doesn't she know you aren't into the social class bullshit?"

         &nb sp;  "I keep telling her, but..."

             "Does she know 'who' you are, Aosh?" The abrupt turn of the conversation brought Aoshi's attention sharply to his friends face. "Does she know you're 'Aoshi Shinomori' of Shinomori Enterprises, or are you playing the 'Hawke' game?"

          & nbsp; "I-ah,"

        & nbsp;   "You need to tell her. If you care about her the way you say you do, then you need to be honest with her."

          &n bsp; Aoshi scowled down at his desk. "Then she'll really think she isn't good enough for me." He mumbled.

           ;  "Then you're going to have to work overtime making her believe she is." And then Kenshin dipped his gaze to the floor as he considered his next words. "You need to tell her everything. If she is half the girl you say she is, she'll understand."

         & nbsp;  "I- I don't know if I can do that, Himura. I don't want to lose her."

          &n bsp; "Isn't it about time you tried trusting someone... besides me?" Violet eyes clashed with ice blue and an unspoken message passed between the two friends. "You say she's honest, real, and she cares about YOU. You can't hide behind 'Hawke' forever, Aoshi. If she can love 'him', why can't she love 'you'?"

             Aoshi sat silent looking into his friends serious face as the words hung in the air between them. He knew Kenshin was right, but the fear inside of him was so great he didn't know if he could ever overcome it. Could he trust her? What would happen if she knew everything?

         &n bsp;  "Think about it, Aosh, and call me later. I'm looking forward to that dinner you promised me." The door closed behind him and he left Aoshi alone with his thoughts. It wasn't until several hours later that Kenshin realized he still had absolutely no idea what this 'Kay' looked like. Somehow, her looks had never been included in the conversation.

OooooooooooooooOoooooooooooooOooooooooooooooooOooooooo oooooooooOoooooooooooooo

          &nb sp; "Look, dad, all I want to do is finish school and then I'll come home and try to help with the business, but right now it just isn't what I want to do. I want to finish my degrees."

          &nb sp; "It never has been what you wanted, Aoshi. When will your family ever factor into the priorities of your life?"

          &nb sp; "My family? My priorities? Aren't you stepping into a pile of your own shit saying that crap to me? After all, when was the last time you cared what I was doing or what I did?"

          &nb sp; "How dare you talk to me like that you insolent pup! I won't stand for it! If you were here, I'd-"

          &nb sp; "You'd what? Hit me? Teach me some respect for authority figures? Well, have you ever stopped to think about why I'm not there, old man? Has that thought ever crossed your narrow mind?"

          &nb sp; "Aoshi, I will not tolerate such disrespect from you. Whatever else you may think of me, I am still your father, and you will show me the honor of that position."

          &nb sp; "Honor? You don't even know what that word means, dad. Was it honor you were showing every time you smashed your fist into my face while I was growing up? Is that the kind of honor I'm supposed to learn from you? Well, if it is, you can keep it. I'm not interested."

        &nbs p;   Hawke moaned in his sleep and rolled onto his side reaching for the empty space beside him. A cold sweat was beading up on his forehead and shining across his upper lip. His father's face swam before him and suddenly he was standing in his Paris apartment facing the mountain of a man a week following their heated telephone conversation. Hatred, anger, and fear swelled within the sleeping man's chest and he rolled back over onto his back, one arm flopping over his face as he whimpered helplessly.

         &n bsp;  "What the hell are you doing here?"

          &nb sp; "I came to bring you home where you belong. I've had enough of this pussy poetry, art school thing you've got going on. You're going to come back with me and take your place in the business like you're supposed to, and that's the end of it. No son of mine is going to be a pansy poet."

          &nb sp; "I'm not a poet, dad. I want to paint, and teach. Don't you get it? I don't want to be all deep involved in your precious business. I want to be a teacher."

          &nb sp; "Well, it isn't going to happen, pup. You're my son, and you're going to do what I tell you to, and that means getting out of this faggot city and moving your ass back home where your responsibilities are."

          &nb sp; "They aren't my responsibilities. They are YOURS. That is not what I want to do with my life."

          &nb sp; "You'll do as your told, Aoshi."

          &nb sp; "No, dad. Not anymore. I want to teach art and literature. I want to paint and write, maybe publish a book, but I do not want to be part of your business-or your life."

          &nb sp; "What are you doing? Trying to punish me because your mother's dead?"

          &nb sp; "No, I don't think there is anything in this world that can make you pay for that."

          &nb sp; "So, you do blame me for what happened."

          &nb sp; "Yes, I blame you. If you weren't such an overbearing asshole, she would still be here."

          &nb sp; "Aoshi, your mother killed herself. It had nothing to do with me. She was emotionally unstable for years. You knew this."

          &nb sp; "She was depressed because she was married to you. You never so much as gave her the time of day for the last ten years. Do you even remember when her birthday is, or your fucking anniversary? When was the last time you bought her flowers or a card or a present-or anything for that matter? You're a selfish bastard, and you killed her just as certain as if you pushed those pills down her throat yourself."

          &nb sp; "You don't understand anything. You don't know what it's like to be married to the same woman year after year..."

          &nb sp; "Shut the fuck up! I don't need to hear this. She was devoted to you, and you abandoned her. You left her for your damned company. That's almost worse than another woman. Another woman she might could have fought, but not the company."

          &nb sp; "It was like fucking a dummy made of sawdust!"

          &nb sp; "I said shut-up!"

         & nbsp;  "Noooo," sweat rolled off Hawke's face and disappeared into the thickness of his hair. Try as he might he could not stop the flood of images that surfaced inside his dreams. It had been several years since he dreamed of that day, and now he was being held a prisoner by the horror of what happened between him and his father. Emotional agony tore through his soul and the tears began to seep from the corners of his eyes.

          &n bsp; Before he could stop himself, his fist swung with every ounce of his strength striking his father full across the left side of his face. Blood spattered over his knuckles as the fleshy lip split against teeth, and a heavy groan issued forth as the big man staggered backwards. Rage boiled inside of him and his vision faded to red. Murder rose within him and he pounced like a cat upon the stunned man.

          &nb sp; A wild upper cut brought Dutch's head snapping up, cracking two of his bottom teeth. Another punch caught him in the gut, doubling him over and sending the breath from him in a loud 'whoosh'. Coughing, he tasted blood in his mouth and he turned to spit it out on the floor. His head was reeling and his vision was foggy. What the hell was going on? And then bright white lights exploded inside his head and he sank to his knees, falling forward on the floor.

          &nb sp; He stood over his fathers prone body panting like a wild animal, both fists balled up so tight the knuckles turned white. The thunder of his heart pounded inside his head, and his breath was a roaring ocean in his ears. As the red fog cleared from his mind and he came back to himself, he stared in horror at what he'd done. Looking at his hands, they were covered with his fathers blood, and bruises were starting to appear.

         &nb sp;  "Dad... I'm sorry, dad. I'm sorry..." Tears streamed down his pale cheeks and his arms thrashed out to his sides searching for some comfort. But the bed was empty.

          & nbsp; "Hello?"

          &nb sp; "Mr. Shinomori?"

          &nb sp; "Yes?"

          &nb sp; "My name is James Eckert, I'm a doctor here at New York General Hospital. I have had quite a time trying to get a hold of you young man."

          &nb sp; "I'm sorry. I keep odd hours. What is this about, doctor?"

          &nb sp; "I'm afraid it's your father."

          &nb sp; "My father? What about him? I just saw him a few days ago. Is he sick or something?"

          &nb sp; "Well, not exactly, Mr. Shinomori. I'm afraid your father has died."

          &nb sp; "D-died? When? How? What happened?"

          &nb sp; "He came to the emergency room two days ago complaining of severe head pain. We performed a CT-scan and discovered a rather large blood clot on the left side of his brain. From the type of damage and bruising around it, it seemed to have been caused by some kind of trauma. Your father said he'd fallen at home. We were giving him medication trying to reduce the swelling so we could affect evacuation of the blood clot, but I'm afraid he suffered a severe stroke late last evening and did pass away."

          &nb sp; "I-I see. Was his death directly related to this trauma? Is that the belief there at the hospital?"

          &nb sp; "Oh yes sir. It was pressing on several key areas of his brain. I am actually amazed he lived as long as he did. I am very sorry, young man. I know this is a great shock to you, but I understand you are his only next of kin."

          &nb sp; "I-ah, yes I am."

          &nb sp; "Then I am going to have to ask that you come home from Paris to take care of his affairs. There are legal papers to be signed, and his burial to arrange, and so forth. You understand."

          &nb sp; "Yes, I understand. I will make arrangements as soon as possible. Thank-you, doctor."

          &nb sp; "Just ask for me when you come to the hospital."

          &nb sp; "Yes, of course. Thank-you again."

          &nb sp; "I hope to see you soon, good-bye then."

          &nb sp; "Good-bye."

          &nb sp; 'Oh my God! I killed my father!'

           ;  The sob that rose from the bed was full of agony, regret and self loathing. It echoed off the walls and ceiling like the wailing of a lost soul and filled the room with sadness and despair. Down the hall the bathroom door flew open and the woman inside raced out her feet flying across the carpet as if they had wings. In a moment's flash she was inside the bedroom and clamoring upon the large bed toward the grief stricken, sleeping man.

          &nb sp; "Hawke!" Kaoru grabbed him by the shoulders and shook him, the anxiety in her chest almost choking off her own breath. "Hawke, wake up, it's just a dream. Hawke!" Tears washed over his face and damp tendrils of his dark, silky hair clung to his cheeks like a shattered mask. "Baby, wake up, it's me. It's Kay. Hawke!" She shook him harder and called his name feeling her own tears burning and slipping down her face. Suddenly his eyes flew open and she was looking into icy blue depths filled with a terror and vulnerability she never dreamed could happen to this man. He began to tremble in her arms.

          &n bsp; "Hawke, dear god, honey. What is it? Tell me what it is." Kaoru crooned to him as she gathered his limp, sweat damp body up against her, cradling his head in the crook of her neck. "What happened to you, baby? What did this to you? Who hurt you like this?" Her only answer was the sudden violent embrace of his arms around her waist and a muffled moan buried against her throat.

             "Kay...." His body shuddered inside her arms, and the persona of Hawke faded from his mind as he sought out a solace from her no one else had ever offered him. Naked and terrified, Aoshi curled up into the warmth of the woman holding him and held on to her as if his life depended upon it. Her hands tenderly stroked his hair, rubbed his back and shoulders, and the softness of her voice reached out to soothe the frightened beast within him. She curled her legs around his torso pulling him even closer against her, and then she began to rock him. Slowly at first, and then as the rhythm settled upon her, she began to sing.

          &n bsp;             ; "Hush little baby, don't say a word,

          &nb sp;                Mama's gonna buy you a mockin' bird.

          &nb sp;              If that mockin' bird don't sing,

          &nb sp;              Mama's gonna buy you a diamond ring."

         &nbs p;  The sing-song of the silly lullaby lulled the ravaged senses of the man she held in her arms, and Kaoru felt him slowly relax against her. His breathing became more regular and the tremors shuddering through his body slowly diminished and then stopped. But even as he became pliant in her embrace, she did not stop the rocking or singing. Something had traumatized him to the point of terror, and she was not about to let go of him at this point. Never in her life had she felt so needed or wanted, and the tenderness swelling within her for him was growing to enormous proportions.

         & nbsp;           &nbs p;  "If that billy goat runs away,

          &nb sp;                Mama's gonna buy you a stack of hay.

          &nb sp;                If that stack of hay blows down,

          &nb sp;                Mama's gonna have to go back to town."

         &nbs p;  "Kay," the sound of his voice was not more than a raspy whisper as burrowed further into the comfort of her throat. "I need to tell you something."

         &n bsp;  She shivered with apprehension and tightened her arms around him. "What? What to you need to tell me?"

          &nb sp; "I haven't been completely truthful with you."

          &n bsp; "About what?"

          & nbsp; "Who I am."

          &nb sp; "I know that."

          & nbsp; "But I need to be."

          &nb sp; "Do you want to tell me who you really are? Is that what you need to tell me?"

          &nb sp; "Yes. I need to tell you who I am. I'm not who you think I am. I'm not the street guy that rapes girls in the park."

          & nbsp; "I already know that."

          & nbsp; "But you don't know 'who' I am."

          &nb sp; "Hawke, I know you're someone important. I knew that when you came into Ragwell's wearing your two-thousand dollar trench. I knew it when you brought me here the first time. So why all of a sudden is it so important I know exactly who you are?"

          &n bsp; "Because, it's the truth."

             "Okay, I think I understand. Then tell me."

           & nbsp;"Please don't hate me."

          &nb sp; "I won't. I promise. Just tell me. What's your name?"

          & nbsp; "Aoshi."

             "Aoshi?" She tested it on her tongue a couple of times and then nuzzled him. "I like it. It fits you."

          &n bsp; "But that's only part of it."

          &nb sp; "Okay, what's the rest."

          & nbsp; He slowly pulled away from her and turned his tortured face up to look at her. "I'm Aoshi Shinomori, Kay. Do you know that name?"

          & nbsp; "Sh-shinomori?" Her large blue eyes grew round with shock and wonder as her hand lifted to cup his face. "You mean like 'Shinomori Enterprises' shinomori?"

         &n bsp;  "Yes, that's me."

          &nb sp; "Holy shit, you're that 'Aoshi'? Aoshi Shinomori?"

         &n bsp;  "Yes." He almost sounded ashamed. "You won't leave me now will you?"

          &n bsp; "Leave you?" Her mind swam in the confusion of his statement. "Why would I leave you?"

          &n bsp; "You have so many hang-ups about social classes, Kay. Can you deal with me being who I am and stay with me? Or are you going to go all 'ghetto girl' on me again and walk out?"

          &n bsp; "Oh honey," She pulled his face back into the curve of her neck and wrapped her arms around him again. "I won't if you don't want me to. I mean, I can't believe Aoshi Shinomori wants to have me as his girl, but I'm through trying to argue with you about it."

          &nb sp; "You are?" His question was muffled against her neck.

          &n bsp; "Yes, I am. You seem to get really pissed every time I bring it up, so I'm not going to anymore. Besides, I like being with you. I don't want to leave."

             "Oh God, Kay." In a split instant his arms had moved up her body and pulled her down beneath him where he crushed her against his chest, relief evident in every muscle. "I don't want you to go. I-I need you."

          &n bsp; "I'm right here, baby." She whispered into his shoulder as she wrapped her legs around his thighs. "Are you going to tell me what you were dreaming about? What frightened you so badly?"

             "I-I can't. Not yet. Please don't ask me."

          &nb sp; "It's okay, baby." She stroked his hair and kissed his skin feeling him shiver against her. "I can wait until you're ready, but I want you to know I'm here. Okay?"

          & nbsp; "Okay." Aoshi buried his face in the sweet scent of her silky hair and willed his mind to go blank. How many years had it been since he felt this vulnerable? He couldn't remember but for the first time in his life he felt like there was something to hope for, something to hang on to, something to trust. And as a shudder quaked through his muscular frame, Aoshi moved to cover Kay's soft lips with his own. She was his light in a world of darkness he thought would consume him.

          &nb sp; Tenderly he massaged the pliant flesh until he heard her sigh, and then he felt her jaw drop giving him access to the moist inner reaches of her mouth. A low moan escaped him as he slipped his tongue over the barrier of her teeth and began stroking the rough surface of hers. She shivered beneath him and her tongue pulsed up along his sending little electric shocks of desire jumping over his skin. What was it about touching this woman that made him feel this way? How was it that her form molded into the hard planes of his body so perfectly? And why was it such a necessary thing that he knew she needed him as much as he needed her?

          &nb sp; A blazing trail of heat passed over her jaw and down her throat as he ran the top of his tongue over her creamy flesh. He heard her catch her breath when the raspy scrape of his chin rubbed over her breast, and dipping his head, he sucked one of her dark nipples deep inside his mouth. An agonized moan of pleasure and need trickled from her throat as she arched her back pushing the softness of her further into the heat of him.

          &nb sp; 'She wants me.' Aoshi trembled and slid his hand under her ass to cup and squeeze the taut flesh. 'She wants 'Aoshi'... not 'Hawke'. It's me that's making her feel like this not 'him'.' The realization shot through his vitals and his already aroused cock jerked hard wringing a groan from him that brought an answering shudder from the woman beneath him.

          &nb sp; Pulling hard on her nipple one last time, Aoshi rose up over the panting woman and looked down into her flushed face. Her large blue eyes were glazed with hunger and her hands were fluttering over the flesh of his shoulders and chest as she tried to catch her breath. He could feel the warm wetness of her pressed against his thighs, and he knew he was lost to her again.

          & nbsp; "You're so beautiful," he whispered and kissed her deeply while parting her thighs with his knee. "Please tell me your whole name."

          & nbsp; Kaoru blinked in stunned confusion as she stared up into his smoldering ice blue eyes. "M-my name?"

          & nbsp; "Yes, Ragdoll, you've never said it, and, well, I'd like to know."

          & nbsp; "I-ah," Her brain was desperately trying to form intelligent thoughts but finding it most difficult with him nestled between her aching thighs. "Kaoru," She whimpered as he shifted against her and pressed the tip of his cock into her wetness. "Kaoru Kamiya."

           ;  "It's a pleasure to meet you, Kaoru Kamiya." His voice dipped low and husky as he nibbled her bottom lip and pushed a little further inside of her. "Would you do me the honor of being my girl?"

          & nbsp; "Y-your girl?" She stared at him blankly, her hips shuddering beneath him. "I thought I already was."

          &n bsp; "No." Aoshi shook his head and kissed her tenderly. "You're 'his' girl. Now I want you to be mine. Will you Kaoru? Will you be Aoshi Shinomori's girl?"

          & nbsp; "Aoshi?" Understanding finally dawned in her cobalt eyes and she cupped his face in gentle hands. "I already am, you beautiful man. Don't you know that by now?"

          &n bsp; "No, not really." He pushed a little deeper and then locked gazes with her. "I want to hear you say it."

          &nb sp; "I'd be honored to be your girl, Aoshi Shinomori, but you and I are going to have a serious problem if you don't finish what you've got going here."

          & nbsp; "Really?" He smiled at her looking more like himself. "Feeling a little frustrated?"

         & nbsp;  "You asshole," she growled and tried to shove her hips up into his. "What do you think?"

             "I think I like you like this, pretty girl. I think I like you like this very much." And then he thrust deep inside of her burying his length to the hilt wringing a high pitched cry of pleasure and satisfaction from her. "But I like you like this too." He growled as he lifted one of her knees over his shoulder so he could probe the deepest reaches of her body. "Cum for me, Kaoru." He rasped as he thundered into her. "Cum for me, baby. Scream the walls down."

          & nbsp; "Aosh-shi..." The sound of his name chocking out of her passion constricted throat sent him over the edge and he gathered her hips in his hands and drove into her until he felt his cock pierce her cervix. She screamed and convulsed against him covering his thighs with her juices as she climaxed.

         &nbs p;  Satisfaction rolled over him like a warm wind and he leaned into her body slamming his way to his own release. It always felt like falling off a cliff into the oblivion of space when he was with her. Collapsing, he rolled to the side and dragged her with him holding her tightly against him. It was more than an emotional release of tension or a physical expression of affection and desire. It had always been more between them than that from the very first time, and what it was exactly, still remained a mystery to him. But, just as he'd told Kenshin that morning in his office, she was special. Trying to figure out why at the moment was not a priority. He was content that she accepted him for who he was.

          &nb sp; Both of him.

TBC

MEGASUPER: Here's another new chappy, girly. Hope you enjoyed. It went a little into the darker aspect of things. I thought it was time. NO worries. I don't plan on stopping until I'm finished. ;)

Catti-dono: Hello, dearest love. Your first marriage? LOL I hope you enjoyed my newest twist on our beloved redhead. I think I'm gonna have fun with him in here. :P

BelleDayNight: Now you know why I was looking for Yumi info. Hehehehe... Hey, I hope you liked this chappy. I know it puts our much loved ice-man a little OOC, but I wanted to start digging into his brain a little. What do you think?

SarcasticSympathy: I'm so glad to see you again. You brighten my day everytime I see you in my reviews. Take care. Hope you liked the lemon. *wink*

Glasclach: I'm so glad you're reading 'Saitou's Ranch'. I'm even happier you like it. Belle and I are having fun with it. As for this fic... I hope you liked this chapter. I went sculking around in Aoishi's head. Hope you like the citris offering.

Jenni4kl: My jenni girl, hope you liked where I'm taking Kenshin. I'm gonna have fun with him I think. Hehehehehe. Happy Lemon, girly. *wink*

.......: I'm still laughing over that.... The beginning... sorry to confuse you. The woman looking for her car in the parking lot? That's the car Shishio and Yumi stole. Hope you liked this chappy... and my citris offering. Hugs to you, kiddo. Oh, I've been in LA during rush hour... insane is only a word. What goes on there is indescribable. LOL

Twishinky: Okay, okay... I'm embarrassed. But you can't blame a kid... I guess you can. LOLOL Anyway, how the hell are you? I'm so excited to see you here. I have missed you something fierce. And I miss your writing. I'm gonna do an abracadabra spell and get rid of your writers block... I swear. Love you, twishy

Sephieress: Ho Ho Ho! Merry Christmas!!! Citris away. Hehehehehe. Love you girly.